A New Toadfish Species from Somalia (Teleostei: Batrachoididae)
The second known species in Barchatus is described from Somalia, in the Gulf of Aden. Compared to the other known species, B. cirrhosus from the Red Sea, B. indicus has two tentacles above the eye, whereas B. cirrhosus only has one large tentacle, and the anterior nares with long and pointed tentacles (distal 70% narrow; shorter and wider [distal 35% narrow] in B. cirrhosus). Barchatus indicus is only known from the Gulf of Aden, Somalia.
Pectoral-fin axil of holotype of Barchatus indicus, USNM 305979, 126.5 mm SL. Pectoral fin on left side and folded forward toward the head. Photograph by D. W. Greenfield.
Holotype of Barchatus indicus, USNM 305979, 126.5 mm SL. (A) Lateral view, (B) dorsal view. Photograph by D. W. Greenfield.
Tentacles above eye of (A) holotype of Barchatus indicus, USNM 305979, 126.5 mm SL. Photograph by D. W. Greenfield. (B) Barchatus cirrhosus, TAU P-12259, Eilat, Red Sea. Photograph by M. Goren. Arrows indicate tentacle.
Underwater photograph of Barchatus cirrhosus showing single large tentacle above eye. Photograph by E. Brokovich.
(A) Anterior naris of holotype of Barchatus indicus, USNM 305979, 126.5 mm SL. Photograph by D. W. Greenfield. (B) Anterior naris of Barchatus cirrhosus, BPBM 18303, 275 mm SL, Eilat, Red Sea. Photograph by A. Suzumoto. Arrows indicate naris.
Contributor Notes
Associate Editor: D. Buth.